Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that praised the delightful software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in almost every category, particularly in a year packed with excellent racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a minor point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced widespread disappointment from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in development hell. The publishers opted to release the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
